At Tautoro School we have been learning about disasters and I had to find out what is an earthquake.

Earthquakes

What Is An Earthquake?

An earthquake is a sudden violent shaking of the ground, typically causing great destruction, as a result of movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action.

Where Do Earthquakes Occur?

Most earthquakes occur along the edge of the oceanic and continental plates. The earth's crust is made up of several pieces, called plates. The plates are moved around by the motion of a deeper part of the earth (the mantle) that lies underneath the crust. These plates are always bumping into each other, pulling away from each other, or past each other. The plates usually move at about the same speed that your fingernails grow. Earthquakes usually occur where two plates are running into each other or sliding past each other.  

How Are Earthquakes Caused?

Earthquakes are usually caused when the rock underground suddenly breaks along the fault lines. This sudden release of energy causes the seismic waves that make the ground shake. When the two blocks of rock or two plates are rubbing against each other, they stick a little. But when the rocks break, the earthquake occurs and then that’s when everything began to break and can be destroyed.

Earthquakes are a natural disaster that cause a major danger to Homes, people, pets land and much much more